Rules for Parenting

Have you noticed that there are so many rules when it comes to parenting these days!? Geez louise, do you know that you are not even supposed to put a bumper on the crib anymore? What's next? They have to sleep naked or they might choke on their diaper?

With Caleb's first birthday approaching, I started wondering again at what age they are allowed to have peanut butter... My memory is not that good.. but I do remember that peanut butter was the one food that I wished I could start giving to James and Josiah before it was "time." 

Then it hit me. If I want to give peanut butter to Caleb at 11 months old, I can. 

After all, it's a healthy protein and fat that will most likely be a benefit to his diet, not a harm. Yes, we have allergies in our family. I have eczema. James has severe food allergies, which is a whole story of its own. I have seasonal allergies. Seth's sister has pretty bad asthma. BUT, because of these things, at least I am aware. I know what to look for. 

I guess my point is this: We really need to learn to give ourselves a little more credit as mothers... 

All the rules are there for a reason, I know. Safety first. I'm not saying we shouldn't listen to advice, because most of the time history has proven something, and we don't need to be reinventing the wheel, or tying to navigate this parenting thing on our own, with a blind eye guiding us. Yes, we need advice. Yes, we even need a few hard fast rules. I am willing to admit that. 

BUT

Seriously, most of the time the rules can be bent a little. A "mother's intuition" is actually more valuable than all the expert guidelines a lot of the time.. And if we learn to trust ourselves a little more, without all the unfounded guilt, I think our kids are going to turn out just fine.. even healthier, I dare say.

I'm not trying to downplay the seriousness of a peanut allergy. I know it can be life-threatening. If anyone knows about the daily struggle of food allergies, I do! 

I'm just saying that I don't think Caleb has a peanut allergy, and that I don't think that something magic is going to happen on his first birthday, or his second birthday, or whenever "they" say he will be ready to try it.

So, starting tomorrow (maybe today, even!), my 11-month-old Caleb is going to be a peanut butter eater. GASP! Go ahead, judge me. I'm ok with that. This time, I'm choosing to just trust myself. 

I'll let you know how it goes.